Raw Deal: Former World Cup referee warns Newcastle United to play fair as big-match ticket dispute goes into extra time

A member of the St James’ Park grounds staff disinfects the corner flag before the Newcastle-Sheffield United match is played behind closed doors last month

A former World Cup football referee is among a group of stag party goers involved in a wrangle with an English Premier League club over a refund for match and hospitality tickets they couldn’t use.

Dundee-based security boss John Mackie had booked a weekend in Newcastle for himself and six friends. The March trip was pencilled in ahead of his May wedding and the stag party included former match official Bob Valentine, now aged 81.

“I booked us all for a three-night trip and the highlight was to be a Saturday game between Newcastle United and Sheffield United at St James’ Park,” said John, 59.

“I paid about £630 for the tickets, which included a hospitality package. We are all great friends from playing bowls together and we were looking forward to having a good laugh at the football.”

From left, former football referee Bob Valentine and John Mackie with stag party pals Bill, Dave, Jimmy and Tommy outside St James’ Park in Newcastle city centre

However, the party was disappointed when the game was postponed the day before it was due to take place as the country neared lockdown.

“It was called off because of the coronavirus while we were already on the train to Newcastle on the Friday afternoon,” said John.

“We decided to go ahead with the weekend because we had a few other activities planned for the trip including an outing to the greyhound racing later that night.”

As a replacement for the match, the following day the party instead organised a day out at Newcastle races.

“That ended up costing some of us a right few extra quid we weren’t expecting,” said John.

Afterwards he then had difficulty contacting Newcastle United, owned by high street tycoon Mike Ashley, about obtaining a refund.

“I was told the game was postponed till a new date was found,” said John. “But then it was announced that it was being played behind closed doors in June, so we couldn’t have gone to the rescheduled match anyway. I emailed the club several times to ask for my money back but to no avail.”

He continued: “I felt let down, as I had paid straight away. I know we have had this awful pandemic but Newcastle is a massive football club and I am a just a working man.

“I have worked every day throughout the lockdown and all I wanted was the money I was due.”

In frustration, John wrote to Raw Deal. When we contacted the club, they said the party would soon be refunded.

Newcastle United said: “The relevant team is processing an unprecedented number of refund and account credit requests as quickly as it can. Given the exceptional circumstances we all find ourselves in, this will take longer than it would ordinarily and the club is very grateful for supporters’ patience while this process continues.

“It is important to clarify that the match was postponed in March, not cancelled. Official guidance stating that rescheduled matches would take place behind closed doors, without supporters, was not clarified for a significant period of time afterwards.”

Bob, who officiated at the World Cup in 1982 where he took charge of the controversial match which saw West Germany and Austria accused of collusion, stopped short of reaching for a red card for the Magpies – but said he was disappointed it had taken several months to get a refund under way.

“We weren’t too upset at the time because we had a good weekend anyway,” said Bob. “But since we got back it has been frustrating that such a big club is taking so long to give us our money back. Put it this way, I wouldn’t be giving Newcastle any fair play award.”